Warren set to resume work with Hatton after libel case settlement

Ricky Hatton and Frank Warren could resume their association after the promoter yesterday agreed an out-of-court settlement in a libel action against the fighter's father and manager, Ray. Warren said: "Ray Hatton and I have agreed that we will sit down when Ricky gets back from Las Vegas, along with his representatives, to discuss future fights for Ricky. I am glad we are talking and that this matter is behind us. There are some exciting fights out there that can be made."

Warren, who guided the first eight years of Hatton's career, had been due to begin his action at the high court yesterday but Mr Justice Eady agreed an approved confidential order for a settlement. At an earlier hearing, the judge was told Warren was claiming defamation of character over allegations made in a radio interview and repeated on a BBC website that he had forced Hatton into a fight when he was not fit with a consequent risk to his health and that he had attempted to con the Hattons into signing a contract extension.

An agreed statement issued on Warren's behalf stated: "Frank Warren has agreed to cease his action against Ray Hatton on the basis that both Ray Hatton and Frank Warren have agreed to enter into discussions with respect to Ricky's future fights."

Hatton and Warren have not worked together since their long association broke down after his win over Kostya Tszyu two years ago, to the irritation of ITV who had signed a two-year deal with Warren in the expectation that Hatton's contests would represent the cornerstone of the sport's return to the network. In the ensuing period, Hatton has been co-promoted by Dennis Hobson's Fight Academy in the UK in association with the Philadelphia promoter Art Pelullo.

Although Hobson's three-fight contract with Hatton has now expired, the Sheffield-based promoter remained confident last night that he would be continuing to work with The Hitman.

"At the end of the day, what will happen will happen," Hobson said. "But I think if I was not going to be working with Ricky I would know about it by now. Everybody wants a piece of him. I know Golden Boy [Oscar De La Hoya's Los Angeles-based company] have been in touch and so has Don King. Frank Warren is putting his hat in there, but we have been doing a good job for Ricky and will keep on doing so."